Communications network using installed electrical power lines

Abstract

The present invention relates to a system for networking electrical devices to provide interactive communication therebetween utilizing the existing power distribution network installed in a building or structure. Each device utilizes employs an RF transmitter/receiver, a power line coupler and circuitry to regulate the 120v, 60 Hz power being distributed through the network. The RF transmitter/receiver at each device convert the information signal generated in the device, to a signal which is supplied to the power coupler. The power coupler introduces the RF signal to the power distribution network. A display device containing a like power coupler and RF transmitter/receiver receives the signal from the distribution network. The display device converts the signal back to a signal format used to display the information. The physical location of the display device can be anywhere within the building since the signal has been transmitted over the installed power distribution network.

1 ) A method of facilitating communication between an AC-powered electrical component and a second device over an AC power network, the method comprising the steps of: 
 providing an AC power network comprising AC power lines configured to carry AC power signals, the network configured to operatively interconnect the first AC powered component and second device;    generating a first signal at the first AC powered component;    integrally forming a transmitter and receiver system into the first AC powered component, forming a radio frequency transmitter into the first AC powered component, the radio frequency transmitter configured to receive the first signal and convert the first signal into a first radio frequency signal;    coupling the radio frequency signal onto an AC power signal and transmitting the first radio frequency signal from the first AC powered component to the second component over an AC power line;    decoupling the radio frequency signal from the AC power signal and receiving the radio frequency at the second component; and    converting the radio frequency signal into a second signal at the second component.    
   
   
       2 ) The method of  claim 1  wherein the first and second signals is a video signal.  
   
   
       3 ) The method of  claim 1  wherein the first and second signals are analog communication signals.  
   
   
       4 ) The method of  claim 1  further comprising providing an isolation system for selectively allowing radio frequency signals coupled to the AC power signal to pass through to the transmitter and receiver system.  
   
   
       5 ) The method of  claim 1  further comprising: 
 generating a third signal at the second component;    converting the third signal into a second radio frequency signal;    coupling the second radio frequency signal onto an AC power signal and transmitting the second radio frequency signal from the second component to the first component over the AC power line;    decoupling the second radio frequency signal from the AC power line and receiving the radio frequency at the first component; and    converting the second radio frequency signal into a fourth signal at the second component.    
   
   
       6 ) The method of  claim 5  wherein the third and fourth signal is a video signal.  
   
   
       7 ) The method of  claim 5  wherein the third and fourth signal is an analog communication signal.  
   
   
       8 ) The method of  claim 5  further comprising providing an isolation system for selectively allowing radio frequency signals coupled to the AC power signal to pass through to the transmitter and receiver system.  
   
   
       9 ) The method of  claim 1  wherein the second component comprises an AC powered component and the first and second components are both connected to the AC power network through a power cord associated with each of the first and second AC-powered components.  
   
   
       10 ) The method of  claim 1  wherein the first AC-powered component comprises a video camera and the second component comprises a video monitor.  
   
   
       11 ) The method of  claim 1  wherein the first AC-powered component comprises a central processing unit and the second component comprises a computer peripheral.  
   
   
       12 ) A system for facilitating communication between an AC-powered electrical component and a second device over an AC power network, the system comprising: 
 an AC power network comprising AC power lines configured to carry AC power signals, and the AC power network configured to operatively interconnect the first AC powered component and second device;    a first signal generated by the first AC-powered component;    a transmitter and receiver system integrally formed into the first AC-powered component generating a first signal at the first AC powered component, the transmitter and receiver system configured to receive the first signal and convert the first signal into a first radio frequency signal; and    a power line coupler operatively associated with the first AC-powered component and configured to couple the first radio frequency signal onto an AC power signal and to facilitate transmission of the first radio frequency signal from the first AC powered component to the second component over the AC power line;    a receiver operatively associated with the second component and configured to receive the first radio frequency signal and convert the first radio frequency signal into a second signal.    
   
   
       13 ) The system of  claim 12  wherein the first and second signals is a video signal.  
   
   
       14 ) The system of  claim 12  wherein the first and second signals are analog communication signals.  
   
   
       15 ) The system of  claim 12  further an isolation system for selectively allowing radio frequency signals coupled to the AC power signal to pass through to the transmitter and receiver system.  
   
   
       16 ) The system of  claim 12  wherein the second component comprises an AC powered component and the first and second components are both connected to the AC power network through a power cord associated with each of the first and second AC-powered components.  
   
   
       17 ) The system of  claim 12  wherein the first AC-powered component comprises a video camera and the second component comprises a video monitor.  
   
   
       18 ) The system of  claim 12  wherein the first AC-powered component comprises a central processing unit and the second component comprises a computer peripheral.